Chapter 15: Postpartum Adaptations

A woman who gave birth to her infant 1 week ago calls the clinic to report pain with urination and increased frequency. What response should the nurse prioritize?

"After birth it is easier to develop an infection in the urinary system; we need to see you today."

After teaching a group of pregnant women about the skin changes that will occur after the birth of their newborn, the nurse understands there is a need for additional teaching when one of the women makes which statement?

"I can't wait for these stretch marks to disappear after I give birth."

A newly delivered mother asks the nurse "What can I do to help my womb to get back to a normal size more quickly?" The nurse's best response would be:

"If you are breast-feeding, that will help make your uterus contract and get smaller."

A mother just gave birth 3 hours ago. The nurse enters the room to continue hourly assessments and finds the client on the phone telling the listener about her fear while driving to the hospital and not making it in time. The mother finishes the call, and the nurse begins her assessment with which phrase?

"It sounded like you had quite a time getting here. Would you like to continue your story?"

A nurse is making an initial call on a new mother who gave birth to her third baby 5 days ago. The woman says, "I just feel so down this time. Not at all like when I had my other babies. And this one just doesn't sleep. I feel so inadequate." What is the best response to this new mother?

"It sounds like you have the 'baby blues.' They are common after having a baby when you are not getting enough sleep, are busy with your other children, and are still a bit uncomfortable from the birth. They will most likely go away in a day or two."

A 2-day old newborn is crying after being circumcised and the mother is attempting to comfort the infant but he continues to be fussy. Which statement by the nurse would best support the mother's actions?

"Many mothers find that offering a nipple dipped in sugar water helps soothe a baby after a painful procedure."

A woman who delivered her infant 2 days ago asks the nurse why she wakes up at night drenched in sweat. She is concerned that this is a problem. The nurse's best reply would be:

"Sweating is very normal for the first few days after childbirth because your body needs to get rid of all the excess water from pregnancy."

A woman comes to the clinic. She gave birth about 2 months ago to a healthy term male newborn. During the visit, the woman tells the nurse, "I've noticed that I'm a bit uncomfortable now when we have sexual intercourse. Is there anything that I can do?" The woman's menstrual period has not yet resumed. Which suggestion by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"You might try using a water-soluble lubricant to ease the discomfort."

The nurse is preparing to assess a client who is 1 day postpartum. The nurse predicts the client's fundus will be at which location on assessment?

1 cm below the umbilicus

A client gave birth to a healthy boy 2 days ago. Both mother and baby have had a smooth recovery. The nurse enters the room and tells the client that she and her baby will be discharged home today. The client states, "I do not want to go home." What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Ask the client to explain why she does not want to go home.

A new mother is in the second developmental stage of becoming a mother and is becoming independent in her actions. Which action by the nurse would best foster this stage?

Demonstrating how to do cord care on the newborn

A client is exhibiting signs of engorgement, but her milk is still flowing easily. Which suggestion should the nurse prioritize?

Ensure the baby empties the breasts at each feeding

A gravida 4 para 4 mother calls the nurse's station reporting uterine pain following delivery. When the nurse responds to the call, the mother reports that she is having what feels like labor pains again off and on. What would be the nurse's response?

Explain to her that women who have had several babies prior to this delivery often experience afterpains, which is where the uterus is contracting and relaxing at intervals.

The client, G5 P5, is resting comfortably with her infant after 14 hours of labor. The nurse is conducting an assessment and notes the uterine fundus is two fingers above the umbilicus and feels soft and spongy. Which action should the nurse prioritize after noting the delivery was completed 12 hours ago?

Gently massage the fundus until it tones up

A nurse is performing an assessment on a female client who gave birth 24 hours ago. On assessment, the nurse finds that the fundus is 2 cm above the umbilicus and boggy. Which intervention is a priority?

Have the client void, and then massage the fundus until it is firm.

The nurse has received the results of a client's postpartum hemoglobin and hematocrit. Review of the client's history reveals a prepartum hemoglobin of 14 g/dl (140 g/L) and hematocrit of 42% (0.42). Which result should the nurse prioritize?

Hemoglobin 9 g/dl (90 g/L) and hematocrit 32% (0.32) in a woman who has given birth by cesarean First, the nurse needs to determine the amount of blood loss during the delivery. For every 250 ml of blood lost during the delivery process, the hemoglobin should decrease by 1 g/dl (10 g/L) and the hematocrit by 2%. The acceptable amount of blood loss during a normal vaginal delivery is approximately 300 ml to 500 m and for a cesarean delivery approximately 500 mL to 1000 ml. The loss of hemoglobin from 14 gm/dl (140 g/L) to 9 gm/dl (90 g/L) is 5 and for the hematocrit from 42% to 32% is 10. This would indicate the client lost approximately 1250 ml of blood during the cesarean delivery (5 x 250 = 1250); this is too much and should be reported to the health care provider immediately. The other choices would be considered to be within normal range.

A woman delivered her infant 3 hours ago and the postpartum nurse is checking the mother's uterus. She finds that the uterus is still level with the umbilicus and is not firm. What would be the first thing the nurse should check in this client?

Her bladder for distension

The nursing instructor is leading a discussion on the physical changes to a woman's body after the birth of the baby. The instructor determines the session is successful after the students correctly point out which process results in the return of nonpregnant size and function of the female organs?

Involution

A client reports pain in the lower back, hips, and joints 10 days after the birth of her baby. What instruction should the nurse give the client after birth to prevent low back pain and injury to the joints?

Maintain correct posture and positioning.

The nurse is conducting a postpartum examination on a client who reports pain and is unable to sit comfortably. The perineal exam reveals an episiotomy without signs of a hematoma. Which action should the nurse prioritize?

Place an ice pack.

The primigravida client is surprised by the continued uterine contractions while holding her new baby. Which explanation by the nurse will best explain these contractions?

Seals off the blood vessels at the site of the placenta

A nurse is caring for a client who gave birth a week ago. The client informs the nurse that she experiences painful uterine contractions when breastfeeding the baby. What should the nurse do next?

Tell the client to take an NSAID orally.

A new mother tells the postpartum nurse that she thinks her baby does not like her since it cries often when she holds it. How should the nurse respond to this statement?

Tell the mother that it is natural to have feelings of uncertainty when adjusting to a new baby.

The nurse is observing a set of new parents to ensure that they are bonding with their newborn. What displayed behavior would indicate that the parents bonding is maladaptive?

The mother is reluctant to touch the newborn for fear of hurting her.

Prior to discharge from the hospital, a nurse is checking the fundal height for a new mother who delivered 2 days ago. The nurse would anticipate which finding?

Two fingerbreadths below the umbilicus

A nurse is caring for a non-breastfeeding client in the postpartum period. The client reports engorgement. What suggestion should the nurse provide to alleviate breast discomfort?

Wear a well-fitting bra.

When assessing the uterus of a 2-day postpartum client, which finding would the nurse evaluate as normal?

a moderate amount of lochia rubra

A client has come to the office for her first postpartum visit. On evaluating her blood work, the nurse would be concerned if the hematocrit is noted to have:

acutely decreased.

An adolescent primipara was cautious at first when holding and touching her newborn. She seemed almost afraid to make contact with the baby and only touched it lightly and briefly. However, 48 hours after the birth, the nurse now notices that the new mother is pressing the newborn's cheek against her own and kissing her on the forehead. The nurse recognizes these actions as:

attachment

A woman who is breastfeeding her newborn reports that her breasts seem quite full. Assessment reveals that her breasts are engorged. Which factor would the nurse identify as the most likely cause for this development?

inability of infant to empty breasts

A woman who gave birth to a healthy baby 5 days ago is experiencing fatigue and weepiness, lasting for short periods each day. Which condition does the nurse believe is causing this experience?

postpartum baby blues

A nurse is caring for a client on the second day postpartum. The client informs the nurse that she is voiding a large volume of urine frequently. Which factor should the nurse identify as a potential cause for urinary frequency?

postpartum diuresis

A nurse is teaching a postpartum woman about breastfeeding. When explaining the influence of hormones on breastfeeding, the nurse would identify which hormone that is responsible for milk production?

prolactin

While providing care to a postpartum client on her first day at home, the nurse observes which behavior that would indicate the new mother is in the taking-hold phase?

showing increased confidence when caring for the newborn

Which factor might result in a decreased supply of breast milk in a postpartum client?

supplemental feedings with formula

While caring for a client following a lengthy labor and birth, the nurse notes that the client repeatedly reviews her labor and birth and is very dependent on her family for care. The nurse is correct in identifying the client to be in which phase of maternal role adjustment?

taking-in

A new mother gave birth to her baby 24 hours ago and today has been content to rest in her hospital bed, hold her baby, allow the nurse to care for her, and to discuss her labor and birth experience with visitors. Which phase of the postpartum restorative period is this client in?

taking-in phase

A nurse is caring for a client with postpartum hemorrhage. What should the nurse identify as the significant cause of postpartum hemorrhage?

uterine atony

While visiting a client at home on the 10th day postpartum, the nurse assesses the client's lochia. Which color would the nurse expect the lochia to be?

yellowish white